HLK version 1709 enforces the Windows 10 hardware requirements and policies posted at https://aka.ms/compatreq and is designed for testing Windows 10, version 1709.

Note: Starting with HLK version 1709, the HLK will support testing a single version of Windows 10. (Previous versions of the HLK supported testing multiple versions.)

The following support scenarios will be accepted:

HLK version

Windows 10 versions supported

Device/Component Submissions accepted

System Submissions accepted

1709

1709 – Client

1709 Client Device/Component

1709 Client Systems

1703

1703 – Client

1607 - Client

1703 Client Device/Component

1607 Client Device/Component

1703 Client Systems

1607

1607 – Client

1607 – Server, Azure Stack, SDDC

1511 - Client

1607 Client Device/Component

1607 Server Device/Component

1511 Client Device/Component

1607 Server Systems

When submitting a Windows 10, version 1709 HLK package for validation, you must use Windows 10, version 1709 build 16299 or newer on the test device. The submission will otherwise be rejected.

You must continue to use the Windows Hardware Certification Kit (HCK) version 2.1 to certify for following operating systems:

Windows 7

Windows 8

Windows 8.1

Windows Server 2012

Windows Server 2012 R2

You must continue to use the Windows Logo Kit (WLK) version 1.6 to certify for following operating systems:

Windows Server 2008 R2 (x64 and ia64)

Windows Server 2008 (x86, x64 and ia64)

Certification for Windows Server 2016, Azure Stack and SDDC must meet the Windows Hardware Compatibility Requirements as stated in version 1607 of the documentation, use the 1607 version of the Windows Server 2016 operating system and use HLK version 1607 build 14393 with matching playlist and supplemental content to generate logs and following the policies stated in the Windows Server Policy. Questions about the Azure Stack or SDDC program or how to submit the results for solution validation should be directed to the appropriate Microsoft contact – technical account manager or partner management contact.

Playlists to support the incremental Windows releases

With the change in the policy regarding which versions of Windows 10 the HLK will validate, it becomes important to note which tests are required with each kit. Playlists must match the HLK version used, not the Windows 10 version under test.

Systems shipping Windows 10, version 1709 may ship with drivers that achieved Compatibility with Windows 10, version 1703 until February 1, 2018!

Partners looking to achieve Compatibility for systems shipping Windows 10, version 1709 may factory-install drivers for components that achieved Compatibility with Windows 10, version 1703. Historically, this has been limited to a 90-day period after the RTM of a Windows 10 version, however to support the transition to Universal Windows Drivers this Windows 10 release will allow this combination of OS and drivers until February 1, 2018.

The WHCP requirements for this release that articulate what is required of drivers to be in compliance with the Universal Windows Driver effort are:

Requirement

Enforcement Date

Device.DevFund.Reliability.ProperINF

Windows 10, version 1709 RTM

Device.DevFund.CDA.Application

February 1, 2018

Device.DevFund.INF.DDInstall.CoInstallers

February 1, 2018

System.Fundamentals.SignedDrivers.DigitalSignature

February 1, 2018

It is recommended that drivers which are modified to align with the Universal Windows Driver effort retest using the HLK version 1709 kit to ensure there are no regressions as an outcome of the changes in the driver. For more information about Universal drivers please visit http://aka.ms/udriver.

Errata 26874 filter is available to mask the particular failures seen when testing a system and the latest errata filter package can be found at http://aka.ms/hlkfilters. This policy is not applicable to partners certifying for Windows Server 2016, as all components within the system must be certified for Windows Server 2016 in order to be considered compatible.

Certification for Windows Server 2016, Azure Stack and SDDC must meet the Windows Hardware Compatibility Requirements as stated in version 1607 of the documentation, use the 1607 version of the Windows Server 2016 operating system and use HLK version 1607 build 14393 with matching playlist and supplemental content to generate logs and following the policies stated in the Windows Server Policy. Questions about the Azure Stack or SDDC program or how to submit the results for solution validation should be directed to the appropriate Microsoft contact – technical account manager or partner management contact.

Submitting test results for Windows 10, version 1709

As previously mentioned, submissions for Windows 10, version 1709 must use HLK version 1709. Note that if you are submitting results for Windows 10 version 1709, the results must be packaged for submission using a controller with HLK version 1709 installed. If a controller with HLK version 1607 is used to package and submit results for Windows 10, version 1709, the submission will fail because the data in the package will not be in the correct format. Submissions affected by this will appear to be stuck in the Validating HCK/HLK Submission Package step. We will monitor for this scenario and reach out to partners with affected submissions. A controller with HLK version 1709 installed can be used to submit results from previous kits (HCK/HLK).